Winter Flicks
The Alamo can’t be stopped in 2013: Top Drafthouse picks for January
MST3K creator Joel Hodgson
Austin Gorilla Run
The holiday season has now come to a close and it may be difficult for some to readjust to a normal work schedule. That’s why it’s important to remember that just because you can’t regularly sip on eggnog and champagne it doesn’t mean nights of fun are totally out of the question this month.
The Alamo Drafthouse certainly knows how to cut loose and the signature events in January prove that there is no stopping the fun this year.
Gorilla Run: Planet of the Apes (1968)
On January 19, downtown Austin will be swarmed by over 1,000 runners in gorilla suits as they seek to recreate the sci-fi classic Planet of the Apes. Actually they’re all just running a 5K to benefit the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, and in celebration of this, the Drafthouse will screen the original film that featured Charleston Heston’s best yelling performance and a twist ending that had a thing or two to say about nuclear proliferation.
A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Gorilla Run, so if you don’t see this movie, you’ll just have to face the disapproval of Dr. Zaius.
Tough Guy Cinema presents: RUSSELLMANIA!!!
Tough Guy Cinema at the Drafthouse seeks to provide an over-indulgent dose of pure testosterone on the screen each month, but they might just outdo themselves this January. Cinematic legend Kurt Russell now has 50 years of experience in fighting extraterrestrials and ancient Chinese sorcerers and has often even done so while making us chuckle along with him.
A marathon of five unannounced films are the only way to do his work justice; expect a special menu served up along with rare 35mm trailers to give this tough guy his due.
Free Kids Club: King Kong vs. Godzilla
It can be tough for kids to leave behind the ecstasy of Christmas and return to the drudgery of school, so give them a special treat with a titanic showdown that puts Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant to shame. Presented by Ain’t It Cool News, Austin Chronicle and Toy Joy, this classic 1962 Japanese kaiju film (as in “giant monsters”) is certainly a good precursor for kids that got pumped up due to the Pacific Rim trailer. And I am not ashamed to include myself in that group.
Bid adieu to the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
It’s still not too late to find something to watch for the last day of shows at the South Lamar Drafthouse on January 3. After that, you’ll just have to wait until next fall to see what may become the best Drafthouse theater yet.
Joel Hodgson Live: “Riffing Myself”
The movie-mocking members of Master Pancake have done great work on their own to become one of the top comedy acts in Austin, but it’s hard to imagine them even existing without the influence of the pioneering cult series, Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Creator and star of the original series Joel Hodgson will grace the Drafthouse Ritz on January 18 with his new one-man show: “Riffing Myself.” Hodgson will discuss a wide range of topics, from his own humble beginnings to the creation of the show that provided many laughs aboard the Satellite of Love. Also, there’s going to be a special Master Pancake “Mystery Movie Mock” with Hodgson joining in the fun, which should be a dream come true for fans as well as the guys of Master Pancake.
To see all of your options for movies and events this month, check out the Alamo Drafthouse calendar of signature events.
The weather was brutal, but the lineup was great.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Fresh off a pitstop at Austin’s iconic La Barbecue, Dua Lipa made the first of her only two U.S. appearances this year. She brought her arena-level production to the American Express stage on Saturday night.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Blink-182 closed out the first night of this year’s ACL Fest with a 24-song mix of new songs and old classics as they dirty-joked their way through the set. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Sunday’s headlining slots offered a different taste for those who stuck around. While Tyler, the Creator was out east on the American Express stage, Sturgill Simpson was closing out the Honda stage, reminding folks why the Kentucky native was worthy of headlining ACL Fest.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Texas son and Fort Worth native Leon Bridges played right in the path of a setting sun, opening his Friday set with “Texas Sun," a collboration with Saturday artists Khruangbin.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
ACL has been and always will be a family affair.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Kehlani's set started right as Chappell Roan's was ending, the crowd at the Miller Lite stage was solid. it was a tough spot to fill, sandwiched between Roan and Tyler, the Creator, but the pop singer held her own and was able to pack in the fans.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It’s been quite a year for Stephen Sanchez, who was seen on stage with Lana Del Rey in late June when the star sold out Fenway Park. The 21-year-old Nashville based singer-songwriter brought the nostalgia.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Mannequin Pussy have been hitting the road hard this year, making appearances at larger festivals like Primavera Sound in Barcelona while rocking mid-sized outings like Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. The band showed off their festival chops in the hot sun Friday afternoon on the Miller Lite stage.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
You can hear music pretty much anywhere in the park, which means you can dance...pretty much anywhere in the park.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Legend has it that country crooner Orville Peck once graced the inside stage at The Mohawk to a hundred or so early investors of his music. In just a few years, Peck was making his entrance on the Honda stage to thousands screaming his name.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Girl group The Beaches always put on a fun show, leaning into their all-female niche as part of the stage banter. But anyone can enjoy the tunes; the catchy riffs speak for themselves.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Khruangbin are known for their infectious instrumental jams, but it’s hard not to marvel at bassist Laura Lee’s incredible outfits, which change from show to show — a true fashion icon in the making.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Dancing in the hot sun was the M.O. this weekend.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
If you are a Marjorie Taylor Green fan, Reneé Rapp’s set may not have been for you. The pop star had some choice words for the Georgia politician.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Marias released their second album, Submarine, in June of 2024, so it was fitting that the LA band’s opening sound was a sonar pinging in cue with blue spotlights. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Zella Day and Jesse Woods joined forces as Chaparelle in 2023 as their romantic partnership was taking shape. The duo performed with four other touring musicians on Friday with a vintage country sound and a little pink tambourine.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Hometown blues machine Zach Person brought his two-piece sonic force to the Tito’s stage Saturday afternoon, playing to a completely packed tent. Whether it was the reprieve from the intense heat or the good music, the Tito’s tent at 2:05 pm was THE place to be.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
A late addition to this year’s ACL 2024 lineup, Hudson Westbrook took time off from his college courses at Texas Tech to play for a few thousand people Saturday afternoon on the Honda stage.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
This is the feeling we're aiming for.Photo by Daniel Cavazos